TUPELO, Miss. — Christian conservatives were horrified to find Satanist-affiliated LGBTQ Pride Month merchandise in Target stores across America. The superstore, already facing backlash for its “tuck-friendly” swimsuits, partnered with the U.K.-based brand Abprallen to create the LGBTQ Pride Month collection. Abprallen’s designer Eric Carnell is an outspoken Satanist who somehow “does not believe in Satan.” “Satanists don’t actually believe in Satan, he is merely used as a symbol of passion, pride, and liberty,” said Carnell. “He means to you what you need him to mean. So for me, Satan is hope, compassion, equality, and love.”

This polarizing partnership caused an uproar from conservatives nationwide, which Carnell mocked via social media. “These [products] have already got the transphobes infuriated with me and I feel like quite the celebrity to think that they believe this is all some big conspiracy and I have any power to brainwash anyone when I’m just some guy drawing pictures,” Carnell tweeted.

American Family Association (AFA, www.AFA.net) Executive Vice President Ed Vitagliano commented on Target’s unorthodox partnership, calling for Christians to stop financially supporting Target until it reflects the biblical values of the majority of its consumer base.

“In their rebellion against God, the leadership of Target has no problem allying with a Satanist who designed some of their LGBTQ ‘pride’ products,” said Vitagliano. “While this designer claims he doesn’t believe in Satan, his words tell a different story. How can Satan ‘respect pronouns’ if he doesn’t actually exist? How can Baphomet –– another name for the devil –– reject binary stereotypes if he doesn’t actually exist? The people running Target have gone off the deep end and are, unfortunately, dragging millions into the abyss with them. AFA urges people to spend their money somewhere that isn’t officially in league with the prince of darkness.”

For over 40 years, AFA has operated within the mission to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture and give aid to the church here and abroad in its task of fulfilling the Great Commission.  Founded in 1977, AFA has long been on the front lines of America’s culture war. Today, AFA is one of the largest and most effective pro-family organizations in the country, with nearly a million online supporters and approximately 110,000 subscribers to The Stand (formerly known as the AFA Journal), the ministry’s monthly magazine.  Find AFA Action Alerts here.  In addition, AFA owns and operates nearly 180 radio stations across the country under the American Family Radio banner. 

View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.       

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To interview an AFA spokesperson, contact [email protected], Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.  